Firefighters struggle

FIREFIGHTERS struggled with low water pressure yesterday in Port Moresby as they battled to put out a fire that burnt down a fast-food shop at the Boroko Shopping Centre. Boroko Fire Service Station commander Superintendent Leo Ovia told The National that they endured difficulties with low pressure to bring the fire under control. “We got a call and responded, but because of the situation (low water pressure), we had to get backup from another unit from town fire station,” Ovia said. Ovia said when he arrived at the scene, firefighters from the Boroko Fire Station and town were struggling to contain the fire due to low water pressure. “When the water pressure was restored, we had to get another truck again from Waigani because we had to contain the building from the back,” Ovia said. He said firefighters from the Waigani Fire Station fought the fire from the back of the building. “The airport fire truck was called in to provide assistance by refilling our trucks,” Ovia said. He said firefighters arrived at the scene at about 5pm. Ovia said he was not sure where the fire started from. The fast food shop called Gutpela Kaikai was located between the Papindo Supermarket and Johnston Pharmacy. The fire brigade prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. They managed to bring the fire under control by 7pm. Police were also at the scene to prevent opportunists from looting the nearby shops.